Session
Organizer 1: QURRA TUL AIN NISAR, Netmission.Asia
Organizer 2: Bea Guevarra, 🔒NetMission.Asia
Organizer 3: Harisa Shahid, NetMission.asia
Speaker 1: Anoosha Shaigan, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Ulysse Richard, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Speaker 3: Yasmin Afina, Intergovernmental Organization, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 4: Jimena Sofia Viveros Alvarez, Intergovernmental Organization, Intergovernmental Organization
QURRA TUL AIN NISAR, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Bea Guevarra, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Harisa Shahid, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: The sensitive nature of AI in warfare demands a format that fosters open and frank discussions and a 60-minute roundtable provides this crucial environment.
- Face-to-Face Exchange: A roundtable positions participants on an equal footing, facilitating direct dialogue and encouraging all voices to be heard. Nuanced viewpoints and challenging perspectives can be expressed constructively.
- Mutual Respect & Trust: By enabling direct, respectful conversations, the roundtable format fosters collaboration and maximizes the potential for finding common ground on this critical issue.
- In-Depth Exploration: The roundtable format allows for in-depth discussion of complex issues compared to a traditional panel. Participants can delve into specific concerns and potential solutions, ensuring all viewpoints are considered.
1. How can international law frameworks be adapted to address the unique challenges of AI-powered weapons, ensuring both national security and adherence to ethical principles like proportionality and civilian protection?
2. What international cooperation and collaboration are needed to ensure the responsible development and deployment of AI in the military sphere?
3. Who should be held accountable for actions taken by AI-powered weapons?
4. Can XAI (Explainable AI) technologies be effectively applied to AWS to ensure human oversight and understanding of how targeting decisions are made?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the intersection between AI, warfare, and international law. They will explore the potential benefits and risks of AI in this domain, and engage in discussions regarding ethical frameworks for the responsible use of AI in the military and leveraging AI's potential for upholding law during conflict, monitoring human rights violations and supporting investigations. Moreover, attendees would also delve into AI Laws & policies that grapple with these issues. This session would serve as a platform for shaping the future of AI in warfare.
Description:
The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in warfare, with global military expenditure reaching $2443 billion, has raised serious ethical concerns regarding autonomous weapons systems (AWS). While some argue for increased efficiency and reduced casualties, the potential for civilian harm and the lack of human oversight remains paramount.
This workshop explores the paradoxical possibility that AI could also be a force for good, upholding international law and human rights during conflict. We will examine:
AI and Adherence to Law: Can AI be programmed to understand and adhere to the complexities of international law governing warfare?
AI for Monitoring Violations & War Crime Investigations: Can AI-powered tools be used to monitor potential human rights violations during conflict, identifying patterns and gathering evidence for investigations?
This session will bring together diverse stakeholders (governments, military, legal experts, civil society) for a multi-faceted discussion, fostering innovative approaches to:
Responsible AI Development: Promote best practices and international collaboration for responsible development and deployment of AI in the military sphere.
Ethical Frameworks: Identify legal and ethical frameworks needed to ensure transparency, accountability, and minimize risks associated with AI in warfare.
By fostering a solution-oriented dialogue, this workshop aims to pave the way for a future where AI can serve as a tool for upholding IHL and protecting human rights amidst the complexities of autonomous warfare.
- Improved Understanding: Increased awareness of the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in warfare, particularly regarding international law and human rights.
- Actionable Recommendations: Identification of best practices and recommendations for responsible development, deployment, and oversight of AI in the military sphere.
- Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: Fostering collaboration between governments, military, civil society, and the tech sector to address ethical concerns and promote responsible AI use in warfare.
The session will produce a summary report outlining key takeaways and recommendations, which will be shared with participants and relevant stakeholders. It will also act as a launcpad for advanced research in this domain. This will contribute to ongoing discussions on shaping the future of AI in warfare and promoting its use for positive outcomes.
Hybrid Format: To facilitate interaction between online and onsite participants, we'll leverage Zoom's features for seamless Q&A, live polls, and chat. A dedicated online moderator will monitor the chat and address questions, ensuring all voices are heard. We'll encourage active participation from online attendees through polls & Q&A. Additionally, we'll also utilize live captioning tools for accessibility, and record the session for later viewing by those who can't attend live.